The Common Application is Now Open for the Class of 2026! Common App Tips for Getting Started

ByAimee Heller
A photo supporting International College Counselors offers Common App tips to help students get started on the 2025-26 Common Application.

August 1 marked the official opening of the Common Application for the Class of 2026—and with it, the beginning of college application season. For high school seniors, this marks a turning point—a step toward the college journey that will help define their path and potential. We have Common App tips to help you!

More than 1,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad accept the Common App, making it one of the most widely used college application platforms. And while the application itself is standardized, how students complete it can make a big difference.

Whether you’re feeling excited, overwhelmed, or both, International College Counselors is here to help you navigate the process with clarity and confidence.

Getting Started on the Common App

Here are a few tips to help you get going:

  • Create your account at commonapp.org and choose the “First-Year Student” option.
  • Complete your profile by filling in key information, including your name, school, and contact details. Use the same email address you’ve used for testing or other college-related materials.
  • Add schools by clicking on “College Search” on the left side of your screen. Then click on “My colleges” to see your list. Start reviewing the requirements for each college by clicking on a college’s name and then, on the left side of your screen, click on “College information.”
  • Understand the sections. The Common App section will ask you to input information about your academics, extracurriculars, family background, and more. There’s also a section for recommendations (FERPA release included)—this part can get tricky, so don’t hesitate to ask your ICC advisor or school counselor for help.
  • Familiarize yourself with each college’s application requirements and follow them. In particular, make sure you submit the Writing Supplement with your application if the college has one.
  • Give yourself plenty of time. Students should start their college applications at least two months in advance, but why wait? Completing the Common App involves more than just filling out forms. You’ll need time to gather documents, input background information, write your Personal Statement (now called Personal Essay), and craft thoughtful supplemental essays for each college that requires them.
  • Carefully strategize the application. Think of the Common App as your admissions highlight reel. Every section should support the narrative of who you are and what you’ll bring to a college campus. Strategy isn’t optional—it’s the key.

Personal Essay and Supplements

All students must respond to one of seven Common App Personal Statement prompts.

Be thoughtful with the Personal Essay. Don’t just rehash your résumé, but reveal your character. Avoid using AI or ChatGPT to write your essays—it’s your voice that colleges want to hear!

Many colleges also require supplemental essays. Tailor each supplemental essay to that school to show interest and fit. Note that supplemental essay prompts can be found in each college’s application (and sometimes in surprising places—Wake Forest, for example, hides a question in the Contacts section!).

Other prompts may be hidden from view, appearing only after you answer a particular question. For instance, selecting your intended major might unlock additional prompts tailored to your academic interests. To uncover these stealthy questions and finalize your list, be sure to fill out each school’s basic information as early as possible.

Writing thoughtful, authentic essays takes time and strategy. That’s where we come in. Our sister company, Edit the Work, specializes in making sure your essays reflect your voice, values, and aspirations, and support the overall narrative of your application.

ICC Can Help Every Step of the Way

Even though the Common App is designed to be user-friendly, completing it well requires attention to detail, thoughtful planning, and strategic insight. That’s why so many families turn to International College Counselors.

Our expert advisors help students:

  • Build a smart, balanced college list
  • Strategize application timelines
  • Highlight strengths and experiences in every section
  • Craft every section carefully—from essays to the activity section, where students can list up to 10 activities. But space is tight, so every word matters. Each activity description must be no more than 150 characters, including spaces—it’s shorter than a tweet!
  • Ensure no piece of the application is overlooked. Every part of your application is a chance to showcase who you are!

You don’t have to be perfect—just authentic. With ICC guiding the way, students can focus on being themselves while we handle the strategy, structure, and stress.

Aimee Heller serves as the Director of Communications for International College Counselors and the Chief Operating Officer of Edit the Work. She is an award-winning advertising copywriter who knows how to best showcase a student’s unique achievements, personality and passion in 650 words or less (or more if the essay requirements specify). For 25 years, she worked in New York on a number of accounts including Coca-Cola, IKEA, The History Channel and Moët & Chandon. She also wrote for major news outlets including CBS and The Miami Herald. Aimee graduated cum laude from Boston University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in communications and has a Master’s degree in education from City College of New York. She has worked with students in high schools and boarding schools throughout the United States, helping them attain stellar results with colleges, graduate schools, summer programs and scholarships.